Outbreaks of FMD Foot and Mouth Disease in Indonesia

Sheep are corralled to be checked for signs of Foot and Mouth disease on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.

Sheep are corralled to be checked for signs of Foot and Mouth disease on Waiheke Island, New Zealand. (File - Getty) Source: Getty

As in Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia has been free from FMD Foot and Mouth Diseases in livestock since 1990. But recently the disease caused by the virus has resurfaced.


This year, Indonesia has again recorded cases of PMK, even according to the Ministry of Agriculture, more than 5 million livestock have been affected, and tens of thousands are sick.

One of the reasons is that Indonesia has reopened the import of livestock and its derivative products, such as meat, from countries that are not yet free of FMD. Australia and New Zealand, are examples of countries that are already free of FMD. Previously, when Indonesia only received livestock or meat from FMD-free countries, such as Australia, Indonesia was free from deadly diseases for the breeders.

Pathologist and professor of Veterinary Medicine, Gadjah Mada University, Prof. R Wasito talked about these issues, including Indonesia's future challenges to make vaccines. FMD, which is caused by a virus, can only be eradicated through vaccines, and not through drugs.






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